need help with Nikon FM

Acere said:

Here's the bottom of my Type II so the newer improved mechanism started with the Type III
View attachment 290748

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Thanks again. In that case, it looks like the type II may just be a minor variant of the type I, perhaps differing only by the knurled rewind knob that's unique to the type I.

Different variants of the FE also seem to have either the I/II-style or III-style 'brass plate' under the bottom plate. I assume the FE variant that has the plate with the longer side-piece is also the later version, and the mechanism seems easier to reset if it locks up; the earlier version may require a bit more disassembly:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AnalogCommunity/comments/gdzyjt/nikon_fe_mirrorfilm_advance_stuck/

I wonder if there are external clues to the FE variant, as there are for the FM?

RDW said:

It would be interesting if you could list the distinguishing features of the three different FM versions, and which ones have which mechanism. I know that the early ones have the shutter lock collar, while the later ones lose this but add a screw in the mirror box that can be used to remove the focusing screen without taking the top plate off, but that's about it. I'd also noticed that there are at least two markedly different versions of the FE mechanism when viewed with the bottom plate off - are there corresponding differences in the FM mechanism between versions?

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Wouldn't you, and for clarity of the forum, be better served if you'd started a separate thread about the FE?

RDW said:

Thanks again. In that case, it looks like the type II may just be a minor variant of the type I, perhaps differing only by the knurled rewind knob that's unique to the type I.

Different variants of the FE also seem to have either the I/II-style or III-style 'brass plate' under the bottom plate. I assume the FE variant that has the plate with the longer side-piece is also the later version, and the mechanism seems easier to reset if it locks up; the earlier version may require a bit more disassembly:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AnalogCommunity/comments/gdzyjt/nikon_fe_mirrorfilm_advance_stuck/

I wonder if there are external clues to the FE variant, as there are for the FM?

Click to expand...

Thanks.According to this I also have a TypeII FM. It's going to service next week.

RDW said:

Thanks again. In that case, it looks like the type II may just be a minor variant of the type I, perhaps differing only by the knurled rewind knob that's unique to the type I.

Different variants of the FE also seem to have either the I/II-style or III-style 'brass plate' under the bottom plate. I assume the FE variant that has the plate with the longer side-piece is also the later version, and the mechanism seems easier to reset if it locks up; the earlier version may require a bit more disassembly:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AnalogCommunity/comments/gdzyjt/nikon_fe_mirrorfilm_advance_stuck/

I wonder if there are external clues to the FE variant, as there are for the FM?

Click to expand...

The only clue would be the serial # but I don't know where the split is.

250swb said:

Wouldn't you, and for clarity of the forum, be better served if you'd started a separate thread about the FE?

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That may be a good idea cause I'm sure there would be more input...

250swb said:

Wouldn't you, and for clarity of the forum, be better served if you'd started a separate thread about the FE?

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I'm mostly interested in the FM, the camera I have, but I happen to have seen inside an FE with a similar problem to the FM in this thread. This had what I assume is the 'early' mechanism, like the one on the left in the picture in the Reddit thread I linked above. The type II FM wind-on mechanism in Acere's photo (I assume the type I is the same) looks more similar to the 'early' FE mechanism than it does to the FM2 mechanism in the Youtube video you link above. This 'early' mechanism in either the FM or the FE may need a different approach to the late version (or the FM2). In the Reddit thread on the FE it's suggested that resetting it requires removing the brass plate to get at the relevant components (which are more accessible in the later cameras).

bernard_L said:

Based on what I experienced with another camera, I would remove the bottom plate, study the mechanism there, looking for an interlock between film advance and shutter release. Possibly some lever got stuck in a position it's not supposed to be in.

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I used a coin to wiggle at the motor drive coupling, which freed it up but, this only works one time; not able to remove the bottom platebecause, the screws are too tight!

RalphLambrecht said:

not able to remove the bottom platebecause, the screws are too tight!

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Likely sealed with thread locker. Coat with Acetone, let soak/evaporate, repeat until they turn.